Current Plays

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas step into the arena with Duel of Meloch, the newest release from Stonemaier Games!Imagine taking the DNA of Scythe and Expeditions, shrinking it down to an ambitious head-to-head duel, and setting two players loose in a race to accomplish competing objectives. If you know those games, Duel of Meloch feels wonderfully familiar while still bringing fresh gameplay into a two-player space. The design is clever, the gameplay is remarkably smooth, and the ability to mix and match components with its Stonemaier siblings adds a serious dose of value.But there’s one question we can’t escape: as a stand-alone game, does Duel of Meloch have what it takes to earn a permanent place on the shelf, or is its greatest strength being part of the bigger1920+ universe? Let the duel begin!

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas delve into Golem, a wonderfully intricate euro where ancient magic, precious marbles, and a whole lot of very important decisions come together.At the heart of the game is a fascinating action selection system that constantly asks you to weigh three competing considerations: which colour of marble you take, which action you perform, and how powerful that action will be. Getting one thing you want often means giving up something else, making every turn an exercise in finding the most satisfying compromise.And that's only the beginning. Golem weaves its interconnected systems together into a challenging strategic puzzle where choices in one area ripple through the rest of your game. It's demanding without being punishing, rewarding careful planning while still giving you plenty to chew on as your plans unfold.For Jordan and Thomas, Golem is exactly the sort of crunchy euro they love: clever mechanisms, interconnected systems, and just enough brain-bending decision making to make every marble count.

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas dive beneath the waves with Endeavor: Deep Sea, an uplifting game of exploration, marine research, and conservation. And while there may be plenty of ocean to explore, there certainly isn't an endless supply of actions, so making the most of every opportunity is key!With limited action points, careful planning is essential, but Endeavor: Deep Sea rewards players who can also adapt when the underwater landscape changes. A new discovery, a shifting board state, or an unexpected opportunity can turn your carefully laid plans into something even better.One of the highlights is building your tableau of specialists, assembling a talented team whose unique abilities help shape the direction of your expedition. As your specialists grow in number and capability, so does your ability to pursue the discoveries and conservation efforts that matter most.Thoughtful planning, tactical adaptability, satisfying tableau building, and a wonderful sense of exploration make Endeavor: Deep Sea a game that gives Jordan and Thomas plenty to love. So grab your research gear, assemble your crew, and let's see what wonders are waiting beneath the waves!

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas check passengers in, prepare excursions, and try to build the most successful luxury vacation company in Galactic Cruise. Beneath its cheerful theme of interstellar tourism lies a richly deep euro game packed with interconnected systems, rewarding engine building, and meaningful decisions at every turn.The hosts discuss how Galactic Cruise manages to earn its hefty BGG weight rating without ever feeling quite as overwhelming as the numbers suggest. That's largely thanks to the game's excellent thematic integration. Nearly every action feels intuitive because it aligns so naturally with what you're trying to accomplish. Need more tourists? Better destinations? A bigger ship? The mechanisms and theme work hand in hand, making even complex decisions feel logical and purposeful.What really stood out was how quickly the game's many moving parts began to click. As the company grows and your plans become more ambitious, the game reveals a satisfying depth that rewards careful planning without constantly sending players back to the rulebook.It's a big game with big decisions, but one whose theme does a remarkable amount of heavy lifting. By the end, our hosts found themselves less concerned with managing mechanisms and more concerned with running the galaxy's premier cruise line.

This week on Current Plays, Jordan and Thomas launch into the stars with Last Light by Roy Cannaday and Grey Fox Games, a lightning-fast 4X adventure where the fate of the galaxy can change in the blink of an eye. Expand your empire, explore the unknown, exploit precious resources, and prepare for the inevitable clash as rival civilizations race toward the last light in the universe.The hosts discuss how Last Light delivers the grand feel of a sprawling 4X game without demanding an entire day to play. Beneath its approachable rules lies a surprisingly meaty strategic experience, where tactical positioning, careful timing, and clever planning all play a vital role. Every decision feels meaningful, yet the game never loses its brisk pace.For anyone looking to capture the excitement of conquering a galaxy in a single evening, Last Light shines brightly. It's fast, strategic, wonderfully accessible, and proof that epic space empires don't always need epic play times.